A Brief Look at Your Options for Replacing Window Blinds at Home

If you haven’t had to replace your blinds for a long while, the sheer amount of options available will probably come as a bit of a shock to you when the time does come.

While the amount of choice can be a little overwhelming, it’s a good thing to have options and we’ve put together a quick guide to what you need to consider.

We spoke to Newcastle-based company UK Blinds & Shadings who said: “Windows are one of the most important aspects of any room, so rather than just ignoring them it’s important to get yourself a set of blinds which are not only practical but decorative too.”
Width
First things first you’ll need to decide how chunky you want your blinds to be. Narrower slats are growing in popularity, as they give a much more modern feel to your room.

However, if you’re going for a bit of a more classical or retro look, you may wish to opt for slightly thicker blinds which are more akin to classic Venetian blinds.

If you need a hand measuring up your window for your blinds, check out this How-To Guide from wikiHow.
Horizontal or Vertical
Generally speaking, vertical blinds are reserved for much wider windows, or perhaps sliding doors as you simply slide them off to the side when you want them open.

Horizontals are usually the preferred option as they look more contemporary, but it depends on your tastes, vertical blinds might make a statement in your room and they’re becoming available in an increasing variety of materials.
Colour
Many people choose to simply match their blind colour to the colour scheme of the rest of the room, particularly the window sill/trim.

This certainly is a good option, as it will result in a classic, timeless look and will also be playing it fairly safe in the eyes of a potential buyer should you ever wish to sell the house.

And while generally, the blinds should blend in with the rest of the room, feel free to have a bit of fun with the colours if you think it could work.
Budget
Just like with anything else, you get what you pay for with blinds and while we don’t recommend splashing out unnecessarily, it pays to get quality, especially as it should mean you won’t need to replace your blinds any time soon.

Bigger windows will obviously cost more and it may be worth prioritizing certain windows such as those in the living room or conservatory.
Material
Wood

Wooden blinds are among the most popular options and look far more natural than metallic or plastic ones.

If you do choose to go for wooden blinds, we’d recommend opting for a faux-wood option instead as they’re much cheaper, and real wood can run into issues with moisture when used in rooms such as the bathroom or kitchen.

And if you’re using a painted finish anyway, nobody’s going to tell the difference anyway!
Woven Woods

This refers to blinds which are made from thing such as bamboo. These are softer than usual wood blinds and are made on a roll.

While woven woods look great and give a very organic feel to the room, they aren’t opaque like other blinds are and will not be as good at keeping the light out, although this could be ok if you’re using curtains too.
Fabric

Blinds can also be made from the likes of cotton, polyester, wool and even silk. These are often used in Roman blinds, which neatly stack up when opened, or roller blinds which roll down, operated by a chain.